A curated month of hands-on workshops led by the finest makers, artists, and creators in Whakatū. Join us for four weekends of learning, making, and finding your creative flow.

Make It Nelson is a month-long programme of hands-on workshops happening across Nelson this June. We’re bringing together experienced artists, craftspeople, and makers to lead practical sessions in studios and creative spaces throughout the city. Make It Nelson is about slowing down, making with your hands, and going home with something you're proud of.

June in Nelson is famously bright, crisp, and perfect for getting creative in a cozy studio. Our compact city is easy to explore on foot, meaning you can wander from a morning pottery session to a local café for lunch, and then on to a gallery or a seaside stroll. Make It Nelson works beautifully as a long weekend escape, with workshops scheduled to give you time to create, explore, and recharge.

Plan your weekend: Workshops run mainly across the four weekends in June to make your visit easy to schedule.

Choose your pace: A mix of half-day, full-day, and multi-day options

Mix and match: We use consistent session times so you can easily book multiple workshops over a weekend.

Dive right in: Most sessions are designed for complete beginners, requiring no prior knowledge or specialized skills.

All-inclusive making: All tools, materials, and consumables are included in your ticket price unless stated otherwise.

Take it home: Most workshops are designed so you leave with something you’ve made yourself.

You don’t need any prior experience, just an interest in learning and making.

The full programme will be released in late February. Expect a wide range of workshops with activities such as:

Clay and ceramics
Jewellery and metalwork
Textiles and fibre
Woodworking
Food and drink
Outdoor and place-based activities

Workshops are ticketed individually, with limited numbers to keep sessions practical and hands-on.